I Will Never Apologize for My Identity Politics

[lunasun]

The other day on Twitter, a man posted a picture of my coloring book he’d given his daughter for Christmas. He was excited to give her a coloring book full of badass intersectional feminists. He wanted to thank me for creating it.

“I don’t know,” chimed in a random stranger (because Twitter), “Sounds like identity politics to me.”

Hell yeah it does.

“Identity Politics” is now thrown about as an insult at many progressive activists. Critics say that Identity Politics make everything about gender, everything about sexuality, and everything about race. And to this I say: yes, yes, and hell yes.

Call it what you want. I don’t care. Complain that we’re making shit about race — you know what? We are. Complain that we’re keeping the left from focusing only on class — yup, and proudly so. Complain all you want because I am not and will never be ashamed of focusing on the politics of identity. I will not feel a moment’s guilt for slowing this whole train down to make sure that everyone can get on and we’re on the right track. I will proudly own up to making shit hard for you.
read more...........
http://www.alternet.org/i-will-never-apologize-my-identity-politics


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[BlueMTexpat]

1. Thanks for posting, lunasun!

Don't let the f*cktards drag you down!

From another non-apologist ...

[Hortensis]

2. "Identity politics" embodies the American principles of

inclusiveness, tolerance, acceptance, right to representation, and the belief that all men are created equal.

Our identity groups ARE "America," and this came about because of all the groups who had to seek refuge in the Democratic Party to protect themselves from rejection, neglect and even active abuse, by the Republican Party -- including millions of "identity" conservatives who object to being kicked in the teeth by their fellows.

This development has its down side of course, but it is something I am also very proud of because it arose from what is best in us.

The Democratic Party is the party of, by and for the people.